10 Wildlife Charities Worth Donating To

Wildlife charities help thousands of endangered, abused, or abandoned wild animals. But before you stress about which organizations to support, check out our wildlife charity cheat sheet. Full of fast facts about some of the most influential wildlife non-profit groups, this guide will help you decide which charity deserves your time and money the most.

1. World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world's leading environmental conservation organization, is made up of a team of scientists, field staff, and policy makers that have a global reach of 100 countries with nearly 5 million members. Since the WWF was founded in 1961, they have fought to protect endangered species by collaborating with the US Congress to secure funding and further their mission, partnering with businesses to improve their practices, and doing community outreach to promote sustainable practices. To join the 1.2 million US members in helping the WWF meet their goal of conserving 19 of the world's most important natural places by 2020, visit worldwildlife.org.

2. Defenders of Wildlife

Dedicated to preserving the nation's animal wildlife and their habitats, this Washington D.C.-based organization has offices in nine states and Mexico that are staffed with experts who work on conservation programs that help fight for the Endangered Species Act. Of the funds the Defenders of Wildlife receives, 90 percent are used for programs - which include those to protect wolves, grizzly bear, jaguars, and other mid-sized land and water carnivores - while the other 10 percent goes to fundraising. Visit defenders.org to make a donation, visit their adoption and gift center, and learn about how you can take action to protect endangered species.

3. Black Pine Animal Park

The Professional Animal Retirement Center (PARC), Inc., also known as the Black Pine Animal Park, is a non-profit animal sanctuary based in Albion, Indiana that gives retired or rescued captive-raised exotic animals that are non-domestic a permanent home. The organization operates an 18-acre park where they host field trips and give private and group "behind-the-scenes" educational tours of the big and small cats, birds, primates, reptile and other animals they house to increase awareness. Go to blackpineanimalpark.com to learn more about their programs and ways you can help get involved.

4. American Eagle Foundation (AEF)

This wildlife charity develops and executes American Bald Eagle recovery programs and lends their expertise to related private and government projects across the United States. At the American Eagle Foundation center, based in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, birds of prey that cannot be released into the wild due to disabilities or human imprinting are housed and are often used in the "free flight" educational program. The AEF also operates the largest Bald Eagle captive breeding facility and has helped release hundreds of eagles into the wild. Help the AEF "Build a Nest-Egg" for future generations of American Bald Eagles and help preserve our nation's symbol by visiting eagles.org.

5. Big Cat Rescue

Founded by owners who were originally inadvertently involved in the exotic pet trade, Big Cat Rescue is an organization that has learned from its mistakes and strives to rescue cats that have been abandoned, abused, orphaned, or neglected. Big Cat Rescue is also committed to educating the general public on the responsibilities that come with taking on such a demanding animal as a pet and discouraging people from buying and breeding these animals. They also work with non-governmental organizations around the world to help preserve the species in the wild and at zoos by supplying them with educational materials and veterinary supplies. At Big Cat Rescue, 100 percent of donations go directly to the animals. To show your support, go to bigcatrescue.org.

6. Pacific Wildlife Project

The Pacific Wildlife Project is a non-profit organization that cares for thousands of birds and mammals every year, including the endangered California Brown Pelican, that are abused or victims of human carelessness. The organization's primary function is to operate the Wildlife Rescue and Recovery center, located in Southern California, where orphaned and injured animals receive medical care from volunteer veterinarians and trained Wildlife Medics. After treatment, nearly 85 percent of treated animals are released into the wild. The Pacific Wildlife Project has two initiatives to help them locate animals that need urgent care: the Seabird Rescue team, which patrols beach areas, and the Waterfowl Rescue Team, which patrols lakeside areas, streams, rivers, and ponds. Visit pacificwildlife.org to make a donation.

7. Endangered Species International

With its focus on saving species that run the highest risk of being extinct, Endangered Species International (ESI) is a non-profit aimed at solving the most pressing human induced environmental problems in order to save the natural wildlife and their habitat. There are 16 current projects, which include saving the gorillas in the Republic of Congo from hunters, protecting and restoring coral reefs, and saving the African manatee of the Senegal River. Of donations received, one percent is used for administrative costs, one percent is used for fundraising, and the other 98 percent goes directly to conservation activities on the ground. Help the ESI protect the more than 15,000 species currently in danger of becoming extinct in the near future by visiting endangeredspeciesinternational.org.

8. Sea Turtle Conservancy

The goal of the Sea Turtle Conservancy is to protect sea turtles living in the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Caribbean. This international non-profit, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is based in Florida but executes programs to protect and rehabilitate sea turtles around the world. The Sea Turtle Conservancy heads a number of research projects that focus on the impacts of tourism on nesting beaches, satellite tracking, and more. The organization also enacts protective laws for the sea turtles and their habitats and educates coastal residents and governments on the threats facing sea turtles. For more information on how to make a donation go to conserveturtles.org.

9. Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR) is a non-profit organization that provides medical treatment and a place to live for animal wildlife, exotic animals, and farm animals that are orphaned, injured, or displaced. Many of the 6,000 animals cared for by the WRR each year are released into the wild, but for some withholding animals (victims of the pet trade and roadside zoos or retirees from research facilities) the 187-acre facility in San Antonio, Texas becomes their permanent home. Twenty staff members, 18 interns, and about 100 volunteers are responsible for carrying out the donation-funded programs at WRR. Visit wildlie-rescue.org to make a donation.

10. The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The Wild Animal Sanctuary's mission is to save animals that are victims of America's "Captive Animal Crisis". It is located in 320-acres of grassland near Keenesburg, Colorado where rescued captive and endangered exotic large carnivores, like lions, tigers and bears, are saved (likely from euthanization) and given a home and necessary care. Since its establishment in 1980, The Wild Animal Sanctuary has helped rescue over 1,000 animals across the United States and Mexico that have been abused, abandoned, or illegally kept at the request of private citizens and government agencies. To donate to their Wild Open Spaces campaign, visit wildanimalsanctuary.org.

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